E-3 - Visa

E-3 visas are for nationals of Australia, alone. This visa has nothing to do with international trade or investment. Rather, the E-3 visa mirrors the requirements of H-1B visas -- the individual must be a national of Australia, possess a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer who requires the services of a professional, and pay the 'prevailing wage' for the position as defined by the Department of Labor. This petition differs from the H-1B in that the individual may apply for the visa directly at a U.S. Consulate abroad, there is no 6-year limit on stay in this status in the U.S., and they do not have to pay certain filing fees required with H-1B petitions.